A delegation of representatives from JNF Australia toured the Negev and the North, and visited projects in which JNF Australia was an active partner in establishing. They were also introduced to new change-making projects that are currently being promoted.
During a two-day long tour conducted immediately following the KKL-JNF World Leadership Conference in Jerusalem, the JNF delegation from Australia, including CEO of JNF Australia Dan Springer and President of the JNF Victoria Ronit Fraid, visited various projects in the south and north of the country. In Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Gaza border, they followed the renovation of the kibbutz’ water reservoir and the ecological landscaping in the kibbutz. In Tlalim, located in the Ramat Negev (Negev Highland) region, they laid the cornerstone for a new park. In Kadesh Barnea, the delegation members learned about life on the border with Egypt, and in Sheizaf they met people who were establishing a new and unique community. Finally, in Kiryat Gat, delegation members were introduced to the Kadima Center for youth at risk.
The itinerary continued in the north, where the delegation visited the first KKL-JNF House for excellence, which opened recently in Nazareth Illit, and inaugurated a multi-sensory scientific garden at the Jordan River Village - overnight camp and holiday retreat for children coping with chronic, genetic or life-threatening illnesses, as well as children with disabilities and special needs.
Nahal Oz: A green agricultural community
In Kibbutz Nahal Oz, located on the Gaza border, the tour participants inaugurated two important projects: the renovation of the water reservoir and ecological landscaping of the kibbutz’ open spaces. The old reservoir, originally built to contain 320,000 cubic meters of water, had grown smaller over the years due to eroding soil that was swept into the reservoir by floodwater. The reservoir has undergone cleaning, renovation and upgrading, and now enables farmers to expand the range of crops they grow.
The ecological landscaping program included the replacement of the irrigation systems with an advanced computerized system, as well as the planting of a variety of trees and ornamental shrubs whose water consumption is very low, as suitable for the climate in this area.
"These two projects represent and reflect the fundamental values of the JNF: environmental quality and community growth," said Dan Springer, CEO of JNF Australia. "The border communities protect Israel's security, and we are proud to be their partners."
"An agricultural society is founded on three elements: people, land and water," said Yael Raz Lachyani, a member of the kibbutz. She noted that they recently planted new fields of bananas and avocados, and that the reservoir would –be used for irrigation.
Shimon Keren Zvi, treasurer of the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, noted that the projects have made a significant contribution to improvements in agriculture, ecology and green landscapes.
The kindergarten children who came to greet the guests, sang "My Land of Israel is beautiful and flowering - who built and who planted? All of us together”. The words were written especially for the occasion, based on a well-known and beloved Israeli song.
Tlalim: A park in the heart of the desert
The delegation continued on to Kibbutz Tlalim, where they laid the cornerstone for a new park that will be built. The initial earthworks for the park have already begun.
Yoav Avriel, Chairman of the Tlalim Local Committee, looked at the dry area where the park will be located and said, excitedly: "We will have a beautiful new park that will serve the residents of the entire area." He emphasized how especially important it is, for the welfare of local residents in such a hot and dry region, to have some pockets of green space.
Local kindergarten children joined the ceremony. When you see the children walking together in the bare and barren field, you realize what a wonderful contribution the park's development will bring to the quality of life of the residents.
The delegates signed the cornerstone scroll and buried it in the ground. The tractor, which waited patiently throughout the ceremony, covered the pit. Next, local children released colorful balloons into the blue sky, a symbol of their hopes for the future. Even now, you can already close your eyes and imagine the beautiful and blossoming green park, full of children playing and having fun.
The Egyptian border: Protecting Israel
The delegation continued southward to the Egyptian border. They met Colonel Avi Rahamim, the sector’s brigade commander. He guided them as they surveyed the region and observed Egypt, and told them about the confrontation with ISIS forces operating across the border. "Our primary mission is to protect the towns in the area," emphasized Colonel Rahamim. "Together with the Egyptian forces, we are working to prevent terrorist attacks from Sinai."
Rina, a tank operator in the Armored Corps, is one of the first girls in the IDF (and the entire world!), to serve as a fighter in a tank battalion. Rina said: "This is the best job, ask any tank soldier, and he’ll tell you. I have a huge tank in my hands, under my control.” Positioned next to her were two Merkava tanks, an original Israeli invention, as if to demonstrate her words.
Rina immigrated to Israel on her own from New Jersey in the US. "I wanted to contribute to the State of Israel, and this is the way I chose to do my part - to defend our country," she told the guests.
The delegation continued driving along the border fence. Echoes of explosions heard from a distance confirmed that, as the brigade commander said, the situation in the area is indeed very tense.
Kadesh Barnea: Agriculture and Community
The nearby Moshav, named Kadesh Barnea (Nitzanei Sinai), is also located close to the border. Hila Kaplan lives there with her husband and three daughters. The family makes its living by growing exotic mushrooms. "We wanted to be farmers in the Negev," she said, explaining what drew her to Kadesh Barnea. When asked how they cope with life on the border, she replied: "Life here is calm, and we have a wonderful and supportive community."
Eran Doron, Head of Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, who accompanied the delegation on the tour, explained that they seek to attract new residents to the area, including through the establishment of new communities. "People come to live here not only because they want to be farmers, but also because they seek a strong sense of community," he said. "The development of this region is the main challenge facing the State of Israel today."
At the end of the visit, the delegation visited the Katz family, where they were invited to enjoy lunch in a homey atmosphere - another example of the sense of community, familiarity and warm local atmosphere.
Sheizaf: A new town in the Negev
The next stop was Sheizaf, a new community under establishment in the Negev, for secular and religious residents. "We want to create a place where we can live together and get to know one another," said Dafi Adler, one of the founders of the community. "Our main mission is to absorb more families and continue to settle the Negev."
Sheizaf's founding core is composed of 15 families living in trailers in a temporary camp. Their goal for the future: 250 families living in the permanent village.
As an example of the sense of community and partnership, Adler recounted how local residents, including secular residents, worked together to build the synagogue with their own hands. "Even those who do not regularly visit the synagogue joined in the work. They said that if it was important to the community, it was important to them as well."
Eran Doron explained: "Anyone coming to live in such remote places is looking for a settlement with something special. Sheizaf’s “added value” is a strong sense of community, solidarity and partnership between secular and religious residents."
Kiryat Gat: Youth marching forward
The first day of the tour ended in Kiryat Gat, with a visit to the Kadima Youth Center for Children and Youth at Risk. Twenty such centers operate throughout the country, providing 1,000 children with a variety of activities: scholastic tutoring, homework assistance, enrichment programs, classes and social activities.
Gilad Harish founded the association together with his wife Sarona. "Our goal is to help youths integrate into mainstream Israeli society, and not to remain marginalized," said Harish.
Eighteen-year-old Mazal is a graduate of the center who is now joining the teaching team. "I love children, and after everything they did here for me, I wanted to return some love."
Nazareth Illit: KKL-JNF House for Excellence
The next day, the delegation traveled to the north, where it inaugurated a multi-sensory science garden at the Jordan River Village – an overnight camp and retreat for children with serious illnesses, disabilities and special needs.
The tour concluded with a visit to the KKL-JNF House for Excellence in Upper Nazareth. The house offers enrichment classes and activities for young people, aimed at fostering excellence, developing young leadership and closing gaps between Israel’s central and outlying regions. The building’s design is young and innovative in spirit, and it includes classrooms, a computer lab, auditorium and an open space for social activities.
Noa Ruimi, a 10th grade student, related how she improved her grades with the help of tutors who assist her in any subject in which she needs help. "My grade in chemistry, for instance, was 40, and now it’s already up to 80," said Noa.
"A student with motivation, who seeks to forge ahead and succeed - this is the place for him or her," said Avi Mussan, director of KKL-JNF Houses.
Gali, Sie and Dana are graduates of Unit 8200, the elite technological unit in the army’s Intelligence Corps. They could, most probably, secure a prestigious job in any hi-tech company they choose, but instead chose to focus on education. "We give the children tools to understand the world of technology and believe that they can succeed,” the girls explained.
The family of Dan Springer, his wife and two of their sons, that joined the KKL-JNF tour, also expressed great interest in educational activities. The spirit at the house even inspired young Benjamin to learn a bit of Hebrew with Yossi Eshed, KKL-JNF's emissary in Australia.
The house in Nazareth Illit is the first house completed out of the 10 houses planned to be built by KKL-JNF in the Negev and Galilee. The next house is expected to open soon in Kiryat Malachi.
"The places we visited over the past two days and the people we met reminded me of the first time I fell in love with Israel," said Dan Springer, CEO of JNF Australia. "You cannot help but be moved by the pioneering spirit of the residents, and the optimism and the energy they bring to their everyday lives."